Specialty preference and attitudes toward the aged

The relationship between the attitudes and knowledge regarding the aged and specialty preference of undergraduate medical students at three medical schools was studied. No significant differences in attitudes were found when students were classified by class (freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior) or by sex. A significant though weak relationship between class and level of cognitive knowledge was found. Students indicating a preference for family practice as a specialty demonstrated levels of cognitive knowledge which did not differ significantly from all other students. Similarly, attitudes of family practice students did not differ significantly from attitudes expressed by other students. However, when all students expressing a preference for a primary care specialty were compared to students expressing preferences for non-primary care specialties, primary care students had significantly more positive attitudes toward the aged than their peers. Levels of cognitive knowledge did not differ significantly. The data appeared to suggest that students selecting primary care specialties are somewhat more humanistic and empathetically oriented, at least in regard to the aged, than their peers while exhibiting essentially identical levels of cognitive knowledge. The implications of these findings for family practice education are discussed.